Neal Martin 90+ Scoring Wines of 2025

Neal Martin, 2020 Worlds best wine critic of the year, is a senior editor at Vinous.com. His specialty and interests are in Bordeaux and Burgundy, as well as South African and New Zealand wines.

Craven Cinsault 2024 92
Craven ‘The Firs’ Syrah 2024 92
Craven Grenache 2024 91
Craven Pinot Gris 2024 90
Craven ‘Karibib’ Chenin Blanc 2024 90
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Lourens Family Wines ‘Mathias’ Chenin Blanc 2024 93
Lourens Family Wines ‘Skuinskap’ Chenin Blanc 2024 92
Lourens Family Wines ‘Howard John’ Red Blend 2024 92
Lourens Family Wines ‘LUA’ Grenache Noir 2024 92
Lourens Family Wines ‘Lindi Carien’ Cape White Blend 2024 91

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Pieter Ferreria Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2019 91 (SOLD OUT)
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Saurwein ‘Om’ Pinot Noir 2024 92
Saurwein ‘Nom’ Pinot Noir 2024 91
Saurwein ‘Chi’ Riesling 2024 90
Saurwein ‘Nom’ Pinot Noir 2023 90 (SOLD OUT)
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Scions of Sinai ‘Gramadoelas’ Grenache Blanc 2024 94
Scions of Sinai ‘Swanesang’ Syrah 2024 94
Scions of Sinai ‘Feniks’ Pinotage 2024 93
Scions of Sinai ‘Granietsteen’ Chenin Blanc 2024 93 (SOLD OUT)
Scions of Sinai ‘Heldervallei’ Cinsault 2024 92 (SOLD OUT)
Scions of Sinai ‘Krummelklip’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 92
Scions of Sinai ‘Granitas’ White 2024 90 (SOLD OUT)
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The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2022 91
The Foundry Roussanne 2022 91
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Thorne & Daughters ‘Rocking Horse’ Cape White Blend 2023 94
Thorne & Daughters ‘Cats Cradle’ Chenin Blanc 2024 93
Thorne & Daughters ‘Snakes and Ladders’ Sauvignon Blanc 2024 92
Thorne & Daughters ‘Paper Kite’ Old Vine Semillon 2024 92
Thorne & Daughters ‘Tin Soldier’ Semillon Gris 2023 90
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Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Graft’ Syrah 2024 98
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Breton’ Cabernet Franc 2024 97
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘High Hopes’ Red Blend 2024 96
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Trust your Gut’ Chenin Blanc 2024 93
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Lötter’ Cinsault 2024 92 (SOLD OUT)
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Geronimo’ Cinsault 2024 92
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Kameraderie’ Chenin Blanc 2024 90

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Available in November:
Vulpes ‘Chama’ Chenin Blanc 2024 92
Vulpes ‘Velox’ Chenin Blanc 2024 90
Vulpes ‘Cana’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 90

All wines included in this case have achieved 90 points and higher by globally acclaimed wine critic Neal Martin (Vinous.com). It showcases the best of South Africa’s modern wine scene, as championed by one of the world’s most influential critics. His articulate, unbiased tasting notes and stringent points system make a 90+ rating a benchmark for world-class quality.

Included with a 5% discount and free delivery is:

Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Graft’ Syrah 2024: 98 Points
Van Loggerenberg Wines ‘Breton’ Cabernet Franc 2024: 97 Points
Thorne & Daughters ‘Rocking Horse’ Cape White Blend 2023: 94 Points
Scions of Sinai ‘Gramadoelas’ Grenache Blanc 2024: 94 Points
Lourens Family Wines ‘Mathias’ Chenin Blanc 2024: 93 Points
Thorne & Daughters ‘Cats Cradle’ Chenin Blanc 2024: 93 Points
Scions of Sinai ‘Feniks’ Pinotage 2024: 93 Points
Lourens Family Wines ‘Lua’ Grenache Noir 2024: 92 Points
Craven Cinsault 2024: 92 Points
Craven Syrah 2024: 92 Points
The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2022: 91 Points
Saurwein ‘Nom’ Pinot Noir 2024: 91 Points

“The 2024 Chenin Blanc comes from the Karabib Vineyard, from vines planted in 1981. This is quite intense on the nose, with dried honey, walnut and light smoky scents coming through with time. The palate is well balanced, with a fresh, quite tensile entry, thanks to a keen thread of acidity that counters the waxy texture. Nicely focused, with insistent grip on the finish, this is a well-crafted Chenin Blanc.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

90 points

“The 2024 Pinot Gris looks just like a rosé or even pale red (as usual) after spending five days on the skins. Light strawberry punnets on the nose, with just a touch of tomato vine. The palate is well balanced with fine depth. Nicely weighted, good intensity, just a twist of sour cherry on the finish completes a delicious and characterful Pinot Gris.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

90 points

“The 2024 Grenache comes from vines planted in 2016 close to Boschkloof on decomposed granite. It has a potent, floral bouquet with rose petal-infused red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit. No holding back…and why should it? The palate is medium-bodied with fluid tannins, well-judged acidity, tensile from start to finish, with quite a persistent finish. Given the youth of the vines, this is an excellent debut.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

91 points

“The 2024 Cinsault comes from a block shared with Bernard Bredell of Scions of Sinai, mainly from the vines planted in 1968, fully de-stemmed and aged in concrete. This is very elegant, with perfumed red cherries and cranberry fruit, wilted rose petals and wild strawberries. The palate is medium-bodied, with slightly grainy tannins, fresh and saline, with a bright and quite structured finish. One of Mick Craven’s best ’24s.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Syrah The Firs is 100% whole bunch as usual, the second year this has been aged in concrete. This is classically styled and beautifully defined on the nose, with perfumed black cherries, boysenberry and light garrigue scents unfolding in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine structure, a healthy dash of white pepper lending it a Northern Rhône allure, sporting fine delineation on the finish. Excellent.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 White Blend Lindi Carien is a worthy follow-up to the excellent ’23. Peach skin and apricot unfurl on the nose, with hints of lanolin in the background, all delivered with fine delineation. The palate is well balanced, with a keen line of acidity, a welcome edginess to this Chenin that neatly counterbalances the peach and persimmon notes on the finish. Lovely.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

91 points

“The 2024 Chenin Blanc Skuinskap Steen Single Vineyard is matured in used 500-litre barrels. Wonderful nose, better than the ’23, with yellow plum, melted candle wax and light apple blossom scents that unfold beautifully in the glass. The palate is well balanced with bright citrus fruit, peach and tangerine, a little spicier than the Linda Carien cuvée thanks to a dab of lemongrass on the finish. Excellent.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Chenin Blanc Mathias Single Vineyard is also raised in 500-litre used barrels. This has an intriguing bouquet: caramelised pear, beeswax, grilled walnuts and a light orange zest scent, with hints of wet wool emerging with time. Complex. The palate is very well balanced with white peach and Anjou pear on the entry. Very good tension but elegant and refined towards the finish. Plenty of flavour here – this is a very seductive Chenin Blanc from winemaker Franco Lourens.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

93 points

“The 2024 Grenache Noir Lua Single Vineyard, matured in used 500-litre French oak barrels, offers fragrant red cherries, crushed strawberry and rose petals on the sensual nose. The palate is very smooth and refined, with gentle grip, quite sapid towards the finish, with a sense of tenderness that indicates clever winemaking. Just a beautifully Grenache.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Red Blend Howard John is a Rhône blend raised in neutral 500-litre oak barrels. Bright red cherries and blueberry unfold on the nose, which feels very refined. It doesn’t have to shout to show its class. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy texture. Fine definition, a little citric towards the finish, with a hint of white pepper on the aftertaste. A worthy follow-up to the impressive ’23.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2019 Blanc de Blanc Cap Classique is 20% fermented in barrel and spends 65 months on the lees, this example disgorged in January 2025. It has a fresh green apple and citrus lemon nose, quite minerally thanks to the limestone soils and large diurnal shift. The palate is brisk and bright, a silver thread of acidity well balanced with orange zest and lemon verbena, fanning out nicely towards the finish. Another wine from under the Peter Ferreira label that is well worth hunting down.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

91 points

“The 2024 Riesling Chi comes from Elgin and Upper Hemel en Aarde and is bottled after two months in tank. This has a lively nose with hints of passion fruit and guava, nicely focused and immediate. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a keen line of acidity, quite tensile with a citric finish that urges you back for the next sip.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

90 points

“The 2024 Pinot Noir Nom, which incidentally comes from vines that Jessica Saurwein helped plant back in 2008, is tighter and more linear on the nose compared to the ’23, but there is plenty of energy and it opens nicely within just a few swirls. The palate is well balanced with elegant tannins, lightly spiced, very harmonious with raspberry and black pepper notes towards the finish. Very classy.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

91 points

“The 2024 Pinot Noir Om has the best aromatics of the four reds tasted with Jessica Saurwein, with vivacious red cherries and raspberry fruit to the fore and hints of wilted rose petals. The palate is very well balanced with fine grip, slightly chalky in texture, with grippy but elegant tannins. Lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper towards the finish, this deserves 12 months in bottle because there is plenty of potential in this Pinot Noir.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“From the Klein Karoo, the 2024 Gramadoelas, pure Grenache Blanc is partially whole cluster pressed and aged for nine months in 400-litre barrels. This has a finely-tuned yet understated bouquet with hints of fennel, chai and yellow plum, so discreet but it unfolds in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity, fresh and quite saline, with a very slight flor-like nuttiness that lends complexity on the finish. Superb.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

94 points

“The sophomore 2024 Krummelklip comes from decomposed granite soils with high iron content, with less than 10% whole bunch and is aged for 12 months in used barrel. This has quite an intense, floral bouquet with violet-infused black cherries and boysenberries, perhaps a little Syrah-like due to its florality. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-infused black fruit, quite linear and focused, gaining weight towards the finish that exerts insistent grip. Real class here, a level up from the debut last year due to more precision on the finish. Excellent.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Féniks is Bredell’s single vineyard Pinotage, planted in 1976, that sees 30% whole bunch aged for 12 months in used oak. This is often one of their strongest cuvées and this vintage is no different, offering gorgeous, vivacious red cherry and raspberry fruit, pressed rose petals and peony that errs towards Pinot Noir. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins. Firm grip, just a hint of liquorice coming through. I appreciate the density allied with elegance on the poised finish. Excellent.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

93 points

“The 2024 Swanesang is pure Syrah from a hectare single vineyard in the lower Helderberg on duplex soils. It is mostly whole cluster crushed with just under 60% stems, natural ferment with 12 months in used barrels on the fine lees. This needs a few swirls to cohere in the glass, unfolding with mineral-rich black fruit, red peppercorns and fennel, less of the floral notes compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with a bright entry. Plenty of backbone here but again, Bernard Bredell has imbued this Syrah with both elegance and transparency. So much energy on the finish.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

94 points

“The 2022 Grenache Blanc has an attractive nose with red apple and fresh pear scents and a hint of almond in the background. The palate is well balanced with a soft entry, but there is a keen line of acidity, caressing tropical fruit with admirable tension on the finish. Just a charming Grenache Blanc.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

91 points

“The 2022 Roussanne has a perfumed nose with wilted white flowers, persimmon and light white fruit scents, a hint of chamomile joining with aeration. The palate is fresh and well-balanced, lightly spiced with a pithy texture, quite persistent with a twist of orange rind on the finish. Very fine.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

91 points

“The 2023 White Blend Rocking Horse Cape comes from several different parcels, each dedicated to a different variety, this year driven by 30% Roussanne and 28% Chenin Blanc. This is very nuanced on the nose, taking more time to unfold compared to the Cat’s Cradle Chenin. Yellow fruit, Riesling-like petrol scents and crushed chalky notes emerge with time. The palate is very well balanced with a crisp line of acidity and superb weight. John Seccombe managed to combine these grape varieties without losing one iota of focus—tensile right to the finish. A level up from the 2022, this comes highly recommended.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

94 points

“The 2024 Sémillon Tin Soldier is pure Sémillon Gris planted around ten years ago, matured in used 225-litre barrels with minimal SO2. This has a burnished gold hue. It has a neutral nose with touches of strawberry, aniseed and light figgy scents. The palate is well balanced with a hint of blood orange on the entry, slightly honeyed in texture but with a keen line of acidity and a generous dab of stem ginger on the finish. Very distinctive.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

90 points

“The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Snakes & Ladders comes from three vineyards that suffered poor flowering in this vintage. Matured in used 225-litre barrels, this offers yellow plum, candle wax and light lanolin scents on the well-defined nose. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with crisp acidity and notes of tangerine, nectarine and pear and a dab of spice that enlivens the finish. Calls out for seafood!“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Sémillon Paper Kite Old Vine, from Sémillon vines planted in 1963, is matured 25% in Stockinger demi-muids. This has a potent and spicy nose that comes racing out of the blocks. The palate is medium-bodied with a waxy texture, fresh and vibrant, with a lovely umami sensation on the finish. Just a dab of Sichuan pepper that leaves the tongue tingling. Lovely.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Chenin Blanc Cat’s Cradle Old Vine contains an additional vineyard west of Malmesbury that is shared with Chris Alheit, though 75% of the wine is still from Paardeberg. This has a wax resin, yellow fruit-scented nose that opens discreetly in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a smooth texture, slightly honeyed in style with just a dab of lemongrass that enhances the finish. Lots of personality and a ’24 as good as the excellent ’23.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

93 points

“The 2024 Trust Your Gut is pure Chenin Blanc from Piekenierskloof (30%), which is a new addition, also Swartland (40%) and Polkadraai (30%), naturally fermented and aged in third-fill French oak. This has an intense nose that translates the grape variety with style: lemon curd, lanolin, a slight sea spray/marine element. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, just a touch of sour lemon mixed with apricot and grapefruit. Wonderful salinity comes through on the finish. Superb.”

– Neal Martin, Vinous

93 points

“The 2024 Kameraderie is 100% Chenin Blanc, planted in 1966 from the Paardeberg, cropped at 2-3 tons per hectare, naturally fermented 85% in concrete from Italy and the rest in French oak barrels. For me, this does not quite deliver the cohesion of the Trust Your Gut cuvée, a little more reserved in style. The palate is well balanced with light red apple and pear notes, perhaps just a tad “skinnier” and less textural in style, though it has a lovely peppery finish. Fine.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

90 points

“The 2024 High Hopes is 94% Syrah and 6% Grenache Noir, planted on schist soils, cropped at 6 tons per hectare using 100% whole bunch, aged in used oak. It has a delectable nose with vivacious blackberry fruit tinged with Kalamata olives, precise and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with chiselled tannins, a killer line of acidity, vibrant and fresh with a sapid finish. Laser-like focus… this might surpass the brilliant ’23. Stunning.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

96 points

“The 2024 Geronimo is pure Cinsault, reduced by 60% this year due to small berries and millerandage, 50% whole bunch and matured in used French oak. This has a highly aromatic nose with dark cherries, potpourri and blood oranges that soar from the glass. Beautiful definition. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit, quite piquant in style with so much freshness and vitality, citrus-like towards the finish. Impossible not to enjoy this.”

– Neal Martin, Vinous

92 points

“The 2024 Breton, pure Cabernet Franc on granitic soils, was reduced by 40% in this vintage with 20% whole bunch. Yet it has a stunning nose with pencil box-tinged red fruit that has wonderful delineation, the used oak barrels seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with perhaps one of the best articulations of Cabernet Franc I have tasted in the Cape, or indeed, elsewhere. So much complexity and freshness towards the finish that lingers in the mouth, this is a profound wine from Lukas van Loggerenberg.“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

97 points

“The 2024 Graft is pure Syrah from the Karabib Vineyard in Polkadraai, 100% whole bunch fermented, with 87% aged in concrete and the rest in used French barriques. Yet another quite arresting and complex nose: black fruit, graphite and light pressed violet/peony scents unfurl discreetly in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannins, perfectly judged acidity, extraordinarily mineral-driven, with a tingle of spice on the crystalline finish. Woo-hah (as Al Pacino said in “Scent of a Woman”).“

– Neal Martin, Vinous

98 points